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Home My WebLink AboutEAC 2018-11-14 minutes.pdfCity of Maple Ridge ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES The Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Environmental Advisory Committee, held in the Blaney Room at Maple Ridge City Hall, 11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, British Columbia, on November 14, 2018 at 7:00 pm COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT Leanne Koehn, Chair Ridge Meadows Recycling Society Betty von Hardenberg Thornhill Aquifer Protection Study (TAPS) Cheryl Ashlie Alouette River Management Society (ARMS) Dennis Kinsey Member at Large Gerry Pinel Community Education on Environment and Development (CEED) Centre Janice Jarvis Environmental Professional Jessie Lees, Vice Chair Member at Large – Youth Representative Ross Davies Kanaka Education and Environmental Partnership Society (KEEPS) Sara Barron Member at Large GUESTS Ken Williams KEEPS – Alternate Bill Hardy Chair, Green Infrastructure and Natural Asset Inventory and Evaluation Subcommittee STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT Rodney Stott Staff Liaison / Environmental Planner April Crockett Research Technician Gail Szostek Environmental Coordinator Amanda Allen Committee Clerk ABSENT Councillor Judy Dueck Council Liaison David Neufeld Environmental Professional NON-VOTING MEMBERS Dan Ruimy Member of Parliament Lisa Beare MLA – Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Bob D’Eith MLA – Maple Ridge-Mission Katzie First Nation Representative Kwantlen First Nation Representative BC Conservation Officer Service Representative Metro Vancouver Representative Note: As the Council Liaison was appointed to the Committee less than 24 hours prior to the meeting, Councillor Dueck was not in attendance. 1. CALL TO ORDER Environmental Advisory Committee Minutes November 14, 2018 Page 2 of 5 2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA R/2018-019 It was moved and seconded That the November 14, 2018 Environmental Advisory Committee agenda be amended to add Tree Permits to the Staff Liaison update, and that the agenda as amended be adopted . CARRIED 3. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES R/2018-020 It was moved and seconded That the minutes of the Maple Ridge Environmental Advisory Committee meeting dated September 12, 2018 be adopted. CARRIED 4. DELEGATIONS 4.1. Applications of Green Infrastructure: Experiences Around Lower Mainland  Cassandra Cummings, Biologist and Planner, Diamond Head Consulting Ltd.  Dave Williams, ISA Certified Arborist, Diamond Head Consulting Ltd. Cassandra Cummings and Dave Williams gave a PowerPoint presentation providing the following information:  the importance of urban nature and valuing natural assets as part of a green infrastructure network;  threats to urban nature;  planning for resilient urban nature and urban forest strategies. Ms. Cummings and Mr. Williams shared best practices and answered questions from the committee. 5. NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS 5.1. 2018/2019 Business Plan and Incremental Package Review The staff liaison outlined the remaining budget and actions identified in the Business Plan. 5.2. 2019 Meeting Schedule There was discussion on the meeting schedule for 2019. R/2018-021 It was moved and seconded That the 2019 Environmental Advisory Committee meeting schedule attached to the November 14, 2018 Environmental Advisory Committee agenda be adopted. CARRIED Environmental Advisory Committee Minutes November 14, 2018 Page 3 of 5 5.3. Field Trip Ideas  Woodlots & Forest Licenses – Urban Forests and ESA Management BMPs  Green City Philosophy – Examples of GI applications around Lower Mainland  Maple Ridge ‘Smart Growth on Ground’ Neighborhoods and Planning Lessons The Chair spoke of the potential to tie the speaker series from the Green Infrastructure and Natural Asset Inventory Evaluation subcommittee to future field trips and the staff liaison requested strategies or particular locations be shared for further consideration. There was discussion on sharing climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies and information at the onset of upcoming area plans to help development proceed with a green infrastructure lens. 5.4. Proposed Topics for EAC Annual Council Update  Accomplishments/Deliverables  High Priority / Short Term Action Items Update  New Business – i.e. Climate Change Abatement & Resiliency Strategy The staff liaison advised of the mandate to report out to Council. Cheryl Ashlie suggested the next annual update to Council could also include a green infrastructure presentation. R/2018-022 It was moved and seconded That the Environmental Advisory Committee direct staff to schedule a presentation to Council. CARRIED 5.5. Proposed Subcommittees  Climate Change Abatement  Ecological Network Management Strategy The Chair provided a summary of the existing subcommittees, their goals and membership. Subcommittee chairs will be asked to present two or three times annually at an Environmental Advisory Committee meeting. There was discussion to involve Engineering staff in the Green Infrastructure subcommittee. The Chair and staff liaison identified further opportunities and there was discussion on creating additional subcommittees to address the gaps. R/2018-023 It was moved and seconded That a Climate Change subcommittee be formed consisting of Dennis Kinsey, Gerry Pinel, Jessie Lees, Sara Barron to explore and raise awareness about climate change impacts. CARRIED Environmental Advisory Committee Minutes November 14, 2018 Page 4 of 5 R/2018-024 It was moved and seconded That an Ecology and Wildlife subcommittee be formed consisting of Ross Davies, Jessie Lees, Janice Jarvis to help develop and promote a bio-diversity, connectivity and wildlife habitat management strategy. CARRIED Note: Item 7.1 was dealt with following Item 5.5 6. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS 6.1. Green Infrastructure and Natural Asset Inventory and Evaluation The subcommittee Chair will provide an update at the next meeting. 6.2. OCP Aquifer Mapping and Natural Features Development Permit Review The staff liaison advised that a report will be prepared for review at a Council Workshop meeting in the New Year. There was discussion on the value of reporting out to Council with the potential to update mapping in the Official Community Plan. 6.3. Communications and Outreach  Proposed Activities The Chair spoke to the restored purpose of the Communications subcommittee in supporting other subcommittees. 7. STAFF LIAISON UPDATES 7.1. Tree Permits Cheryl Ashlie enquired on the process of tree cutting permits and staff advised of the What’s Happening Around Me ‘WHAM’ application on the City of Maple Ridge website. WHAM provides a variety of information amongst several categories and includes information on permits issued or under investigation by the City of Maple Ridge. Betty von Hardenberg sought clarification on hazard trees. 7.2. Current BCIT Projects – Urban Forest Inventory, iTree Applications, Enhancement Monitoring The staff liaison provided an update on the projects underway by BCIT students and instructors. The staff liaison advised that UBC is conducting a gradient study from Malcolm Knapp Research Forest to the town core. Note: Dennis Kinsey left the meeting at 8:35 pm and did not return. 7.3. New Mayor and Council Update The staff liaison advised that Councillor Judy Dueck will be the new Council liaison for the committee. Environmental Advisory Committee Minutes November 14, 2018 Page 5 of 5 7.4. Community Planning Process and Green Infrastructure Policy Review The staff liaison introduced April Crockett, Research Technician, with the Planning Department. Ms. Crockett provided an overview of the research she is conducting on how policies, area plans, and environmental planning could be strengthened to incorporate green infrastructure strategies within City development. 8. CORRESPONDENCE 8.1. Upcoming Events November 15, 2018 6:00 pm Earth Day Planning Committee Meeting Maple Ridge Public Library Organizer: Ridge Meadows Recycling Society November 17, 2018 10:00 am – 2:00 pm Repair Café Maple Ridge Public Library Organizer: Ridge Meadows Recycling Society 9. ROUNDTABLE Rod Stott shared reports from BCIT and Diamond Head Consulting. Betty von Hardenberg provided an update on the new observation well and quality testing that will occur at the Whonnock well. Ms. von Hardenberg spoke to the Ministry’s campaign to register wells. Janice Jarvis spoke to the importance of recognizing wildlife corridors and shared stories of the active bear population in Kanaka. Ross Davies advised of the educational work underway between KEEPS and Metro Vancouver regarding bears and wildlife routes. Jessie Lees invited members to attend the Metro Van ParksFest 2018 in New Westminster on November 17, 2019. Gerry Pinel advised of the BC Small Housing Summit he will be attending in Vancouver on November 17, 2018. The Hyde Creek Salmon Festival will be held November 18, 2018 from 11:00am – 3:00pm. Leanne Koehn shared information from the Metro Vancouver Waste Conference. 10. QUESTION PERIOD - Nil 11. ADJOURNMENT – 9:06 pm “Original signed by Leanne Koehn” L. Koehn, Chair /aa